You have just created the visual of your dreams and you now want to proudly display it on your textile. But that’s it, you have the design of your motif, you have chosen your personalized sweatshirt or t-shirt but you don’t know how to have your visual printed. Individual or company, which marking process or technique will work best on your textile support and will best highlight your image, your logo or your typography?
This is what we will decipher in this article through the popular technique of digital printing – or DTG – a modern, innovative and efficient technique.
And try to guide you step by step through the technique of marking your clothes that will suit you best in terms of rendering quality, deadlines and price.
Digital printing, an xxl textile version printer
Direct to textile printing, or DTG for “direct to garment” in English, is a relatively recent technique in textile customization. It consists of applying ink jets to the textile product and therefore directly printing the pattern on the garment, like a standard printer for paper, but here for fabric. For direct to garment printing in Dallas you can visit Dallas t shirt printing.
The method of use therefore involves a printer similar to consumer printers but a “premium” version because it is adapted to a more delicate support, textiles. This technique is one of the most technologically advanced in the textile personalization sector but also one of the most recent.
It appeared in the 1990s to save time, precision and value for money. Although more suitable for small quantities , it is close to the quality of screen printing in terms of rendering. Indeed, it provides the pattern with vibrant, true-to-life colors as well as optimal durability over time. It also allows visuals with the greatest possible precision .
The final result and the feeling to the touch will be completely flat and without relief (unlike other marking techniques such as transfer), due to the fact that the ink penetrates directly into the fibers of the fabric, for a smooth and sober result, all in finesse.
Why use direct digital printing?
Direct digital printing has many advantages, whether in terms of execution or rendering.
· Speed of execution and clear printing
· Durable quality over time
· Maximum precision in rendering lines
· Numerous details and maximum visual finesse
· Easy to maintain and excellent washability
· Unlimited number of colors
· Flexible technique : possible on all types of textile supports and all colors (however apply pre-treatment for dark textiles) and for all types of visuals, including the most complex
· Smooth, flat print texture (without relief integrated into the fabric) and soft touch
Inks and types of visuals
Unlike some techniques like DTF (flex) or flocking, DTG does not involve intermediaries like a transparent film (also called transfer).
To print directly into the fiber of the fabric, the digital printer requires ink jets of exemplary performance and precision. The 100% digital design of this process gives it precisely this maximum precision , which far surpasses all other printing techniques.
This technique is also ideal if you plan to have a photograph printed on a personalized t-shirt.
Unlike screen printing , little preparation is necessary upstream (except for dark textiles and certain colored textiles).
Once the visuals have been designed, set up and scanned into PDF on the device connected to the printer and then the textile selected, we place the latter on the machine’s plate then insert it inside to proceed to the printing stage.
Some adjustments are sometimes necessary digitally in order not to make any errors when printing. The printer then prints the visual directly on the fabric using ink jets, just like a home printer on paper.
The textile is then left to dry in an oven so that the pattern attaches optimally to it.
The inks used in digital printing are high quality and high performance inks because they must be able to infiltrate correctly into the mesh of the fabric. These are specific water-based inks to promote absorption by the textile . It is also recommended to preferably use organic inks .
We ourselves use certified inks, non-toxic to health and respectful of the planet, without any compromise on quality. We always favor products of maximum quality and healthy, which respect people and the environment.
DTG: for what uses?
The supports that can accommodate DTG printing cover almost all types of textile products : personalized t-shirts, polo shirts, sweatshirts, tote bags, jackets, etc. We also offer a wide range of premium and organic quality textiles at affordable prices. from the Direct to garment printing Dallas brand which will best accommodate your DTG printed visual.
Headwear such as hats or caps will however be unsuitable .
Furthermore, the fiber that makes up the clothing must preferably be organic cotton , at least 80% of natural origin. Synthetic fibers such as polyester are therefore not recommended because they provide a much lower quality result. Indeed, the visual may stick to the fabric, the colors may become duller and the washing resistance may be affected.
Some precautions should therefore be taken into account regarding the choice of fabric but also the color of the textile on which the visual will be printed. Indeed, the process will vary slightly depending on the color of the textile product to be marked. For dark textiles or those with bright colors, an undercoat of white in the shape of the visual must be placed on the garment, so that the tint of the fabric fibers does not alter the final color. A very slight relief will thus be apparent but hardly perceptible to the touch.
DTG will be the technique of choice for projects with complex patterns that are demanding in terms of rendering quality on the product(s).
Direct digital printing, a qualitative and future-oriented technique
To summarize, digital printing is particularly suitable for small quantities of clothing and many colors with a significant amount of detail . The main reasons for using this technique are therefore the production of small quantities and a large number of colors to reproduce. The precision and high level of performance of DTG make it possible to deliver complex and elaborate multi-colored patterns including gradients and specific contours.
Thus, its intrinsic qualities make it the current technique in vogue for several years now in the sector of textile personalization and its use represents an increasingly important part in the industry, in particular thanks to its innovative technology.
It is also one of the most premium and qualitative techniques which will delight any professional or fashion aficionado keen to obtain the best possible visual on their t-shirts or sweatshirts, in a sober and efficient way.
